This Autumn, I had the privilege of completing my work placement with LMP Action, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative. As a student from Ithaca College studying abroad in London, a city I’d dreamed of my entire life but never imagined I’d have the chance to call home. This placement became one of the most meaningful parts of my time here. Coming from a small town in upstate New York, the opportunity to work with London communities still feels surreal.
When I began searching for placements, I knew I wanted something rooted in community engagement and political advocacy, as these values are central to who I am back home. But as the placement process went on, I became increasingly discouraged. My work placement coordinator continued to send internship options my way, but none of them felt right. Many lacked the community-centered focus I was searching for, and I worried I’d have to settle for an opportunity that didn’t align with my purpose.
Then, just a couple of weeks before I was due to leave for London in August, I received an email from my coordinator about an interview opportunity with LMP Action. Immediately, something clicked. Here was an organisation committed to empowering communities, championing young people, and making real changes at the grassroots level. I knew right away that this was the opportunity I had been waiting for, one that would allow me not only to learn but to contribute meaningfully to a city I had only ever dreamed of being part of.
I was tasked with one of the most exciting and intimidating responsibilities I’ve ever had: planning a Youth Board for young people in Hammersmith and Fulham. The goal was to help them grow as leaders in their community, and I had the privilege of designing the first 12-week term from scratch. I was given the freedom to create a theme for the programme that felt true to me; of course, I built lesson plans themed around campaigning and political advocacy. My workdays included creating promotional materials, scheduling guest speakers, and doing outreach to potential members. It was everything I cared about, community, activism and civic engagement, all coming together in a real-world setting.
I’ll admit, I was nervous. I had never done youth work before, and I worried about whether I’d be able to connect with the young people or deliver something meaningful. But when I met the group, all of that anxiety melted away. These are young people who are bright, thoughtful, and impressively aware of the issues facing their community. Their enthusiasm for learning about activism reassured me that this programme mattered, and that I could play a small part in helping them grow.
It is bittersweet knowing I won’t be able to see the programme through to its end. Still, I feel grateful knowing that the incredible team at LMP Action will continue to nurture it and turn it into something truly special. They are passionate, supportive, and unwavering in their commitment to young people.
Looking back, I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve gained confidence in my ability to connect with youth, design engaging lesson plans, and coordinate professionally in a fast-paced, unfamiliar environment. More than anything, I’ve learned that I am capable of stepping into challenging roles and thriving.
I will miss LMP Action tremendously. This placement has shaped my study abroad experience in ways I never could have predicted. I hope that I’ll return to London one day and maybe, just maybe, find myself working with them again.
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